Determinants of Youth Participation in Rice Cultivation in South-Eastern Nigeria.

Abstract

The study assessed youth participation in rice cultivation in South Eastern Nigeria. It ascertained the rice varieties cultivated by the youth, determined the extent of utilization of rice cultivation technologies, described respondents' challenges in rice cultivation, examined the determinants of youth participation in rice cultivation and determinants of the extent of utilization of improved rice cultivation technologies. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 312 respondents for the study. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analysed using mean scores, percentages, and regression analysis. The respondents cultivated FARO 44 (84.6%), practiced early planting (𝑥̅=2.9), timely harvesting (𝑥̅=2.6), and cultivated improved varieties (𝑥̅=2.7) as utilised rice improved technologies. The major challenges of youth participation in rice cultivation were inadequate agricultural credit (89.4%) and poor access to improved seeds (86.7%) among others. Age (β=-0.214), education (β=0.212), and access to credit (β=-0.4311) were the determinants of youth participation while internet access (β=1.271), access to extension services (β=2.144) and hours spent on the internet (β=2.142) determined their extent of utilization of technologies. Socio-economic factors and the challenges faced influenced youth participation in rice cultivation. The government and nongovernmental agencies should increase youth access to agricultural digital tools, improve seeds and internet penetration in rural areas.